Handheld computer case having integral lighter

ABSTRACT

A handheld computer case having an integral lighter for providing a flameless lighter in a case for a mobile phone includes a case body defining a rigid housing sized to fit a conventional handheld computer, a lighter actuator for selectively availing and activating an electric lighter, and a lighter housing in which the electric lighter is disposed. In operation, a user may apply manual force to mechanically actuate the lighter actuator, thereby causing both the lighter housing to open and expose the electric lighter and an electrical switch to direct electricity from an internal battery to a heating element which defines the electric lighter. Once the user is finished with the lighter, the manual force may be removed to cause the lighter housing to automatically close and the flow of electricity to the heating element to be interrupted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to handheld computer accessories and,more particularly, to a handheld electronic communications device havinga built in lighter.

Description of the Prior Art

The use of conventional protective and/or functional cases for handheldcomputers, such as mobile phones, is well known. There remains a need,however, for a handheld computer case having an integral lighter whichwould eliminate the need for a user to carry both their mobile deviceand a separate lighter. It would be helpful if such a handheld computercase having an integral lighter employed a flameless heating element toignite items such as a cigarette. It would be additionally desirable forsuch a handheld computer case having an integral lighter included aninternal rechargeable power source so as to not require the use ofelectricity stored by the accompanying handheld computer (in the case).

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a handheldcomputer case having an integral lighter adapted to allow a user todirect electricity to an integrated heating element so as to provide anelectric lighter. The primary components in Applicant's a handheldcomputer case having an integral lighter are a case body, a slidingactuator, an electrical switch, a heating element, an internal battery,and an electrical port. When in operation, the handheld computer casehaving an integral lighter enables the inclusion of a flameless heatingelement suitable to light a cigarette into an otherwise conventionalhandheld computer case. As a result, many of the limitations imposed byprior art structures are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A handheld computer case having an integral lighter for providing aflameless lighter in a case for a mobile phone. The handheld computercase having an integral lighter comprises a case body defining a rigidhousing sized to fit a conventional handheld computer, a lighteractuator for selectively availing and activating an electric lighter,and a lighter housing in which the electric lighter is disposed. Inoperation, a user may apply manual force to mechanically actuate thelighter actuator, thereby causing both the lighter housing to open andexpose the electric lighter and an electrical switch to directelectricity from an internal battery to a heating element which definesthe electric lighter. The electricity passing through the heatingelement causes it to heat up sufficiently to the point that it can beused to ignite a cigarette or other object. Once the user is finishedwith the lighter, the manual force may be removed to cause the lighterhousing to automatically close and the flow of electricity to theheating element to be interrupted.

It is an object of this invention to provide a handheld computer casehaving an integral lighter which would eliminate the need for a user tocarry both their mobile device and a separate lighter.

It is another object of this invention to provide a handheld computercase having an integral lighter which employs a flameless heatingelement to ignite items such as a cigarette.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a handheldcomputer case having an integral lighter which includes an internalrechargeable power source so as to not require the use of electricitystored by the accompanying handheld computer.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a handheld computer case having anintegral lighter built in accordance with the present invention in abase position.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a handheld computer case having anintegral lighter built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a handheld computer case having anintegral lighter built in accordance with the present invention in abase position.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a handheld computer case having anintegral lighter built in accordance with the present invention in alighting position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, ahandheld computer case having an integral lighter (or “lighter case”)100 is shown having a case body 110 which externally has lighteractuator defining a spring biased sliding actuator 111, an electricalport 112, and a lighter housing 120. The case body 110 defines a rigidhousing sized to fit a conventional handheld computer, such as a mobilephone.

The lighter housing 120 defines an insulated enclosure which includes aheating element 121 positioned therein. In the preferred embodiment, theheating element 121 is positioned inside the lighter housing 120 insideof an insulating ring 122, on top of an insulating floor 123, andunderneath a movable door 124.

Internally, the case body 110 includes an electrical switch which iscoupled to the sliding actuator 111 and an internal battery, with theelectrical switch, battery, heating element 121 and electrical port 112all electrically interconnected to one another.

In the preferred embodiment, the lighter housing 120 defines aselectively openable enclosure that is constructed out of a materialwith low thermal conductivity. In one embodiment, the non electricalcomponents of the lighter housing 120 (i.e. everything by the heatingelement 121 and its electrical wiring) are constructed out of silicaaerogel. In addition, in some embodiments, a exhaust aperture 125 isdisposed one or both sides of the lighter housing 120, with each exhaustaperture 125 having an accompanying insulator strip 113 on the back ofthe case body 110 so as to prevent heated air exiting the lighterhousing 120 from the exhaust aperture 125 from overheating a phone (notshown) in the integral lighter case 100 or the integral lighter case 100itself.

In one embodiment, moveable door 124 defines a pair of flip open panelswhich are selectively hinged between a base position in which they arepositioned over the heating element and a lighting position in whichthey flipped over to expose the heating element by way of mechanicalactuation of the sliding actuator 111.

In the preferred embodiment, the heating element 121 defines a portionof nichrome wire that is wired to the internal battery and theelectrical switch such that electricity from the internal battery can beselectively supplied to the nichrome wire through the electrical switch.

In operation, a user may use manual force to mechanically actuate thesliding actuator 111 by sliding it in a lighting direction 115. Thiscauses both the moveable door 124 to be moved from the base position tothe lighting position and the electrical switch to direct electricityfrom the internal battery to the heating element 121. Similar toconventional flameless lighters, the electricity passing through theheating element 121 causes it to heat up sufficiently to the point thatit can be used to ignite a cigarette or other object. The slidingactuator 111 is spring biased to remain in the base position, so oncethe manual force in the lighting direction 115 supplied by the user isremoved, the sliding actuator 111 returns to the base position andcauses the movable door 124 to close and the electrical switch tointerrupt the flow of electricity to the heating element 121.

In the preferred embodiment, the sliding actuator 111 is mechanicallyconnected to movable doors 124 through a lever so that the manual forcethat moves the sliding actuator is transferred to the movable doors 124to cause them to open (and the biasing of the sliding actuator 111 willcause the movable doors 124 to automatically close when the slidingactuator 111 is released).

In the preferred embodiment, the electrical port 112 defines a USB portwhich in which a USB connector can be plugged so that electricity can besupplied to recharge the internal battery.

In one embodiment, the case body 110 includes a battery status indicatorlight 114 which provides a flashing notification when the charge stateof the internal battery becomes low.

In one embodiment, the case body 110 additionally includes a solar panel130 which is electrically connected to the internal battery (and acharge controller) to allow the internal battery to be recharged throughsolar power.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handheld computer case having an integrallighter, comprising: a case body defining a housing sized to fit ahandheld computer, wherein said case body includes an internal batteryelectrically connected to an electrical switch; a lighter housingintegral with the case body, wherein said lighter housing includes anelectrically operated heating element which is electrically connected tosaid electrical switch and an insulating floor, with the heating elementposition on top of the insulating floor in the lighter housing such thatthe insulating floor is situated between the heating element and aportion of the case body in which the handheld computer fits; and alighter actuator integral with the case body and operatively connectedthe electrical switch, wherein said lighter actuator is configured toselectively cause the electrical switch to direct electricity from theinternal battery through the heating element and interrupt the flow ofelectricity through the heating element.
 2. The handheld computer casehaving an integral lighter of claim 1, wherein said lighter housingincludes a movable door selectively movable between a base position inwhich the heating element is covered and a lighting position in whichthe heating element is exposed and at least one exhaust apertureconfigured to allow heated air to exit the lighter housing even whilethe movable door is in the base position.
 3. The handheld computer casehaving an integral lighter of claim 2, wherein said movable door definesat least one panel operative to hinge between the base position and thelighting position.
 4. The handheld computer case having an integrallighter of claim 2, wherein the lighter actuator is configured to causethe movable door to move to the lighting position whenever causing theelectrical switch to direct electricity from the internal batterythrough the heating element.
 5. The handheld computer case having anintegral lighter of claim 4, wherein the lighter actuator is springbiased to maintain the movable door in the base position and interruptthe flow of electricity through the heating element in the absence ofmanual actuation.
 6. The handheld computer case having an integrallighter of claim 2, wherein said movable door is constructed of amaterial having a low thermal conductivity and said at least one exhaustaperture is positioned adjacent to an insulator strip positioned on theback of the case body that is adapted to prevent heated air exiting saidlighter housing from said at least one exhaust aperture from overheatingthe handheld computer in the case body.
 7. The handheld computer casehaving an integral lighter of claim 1, wherein said case body includesan electrical port that is electrically connected to the internalbattery, thereby enabling electricity from an external source to besupplied to the internal battery.
 8. The handheld computer case havingan integral lighter of claim 1, wherein said case body includes a solarpanel that is electrically connected to the internal battery, therebyenabling electricity generated from light to be supplied to the internalbattery.
 9. The handheld computer case having an integral lighter ofclaim 1, wherein said case body includes an indicator light that iselectrically connected to the internal battery and adapted to provide avisual notification related to the internal battery.
 10. The handheldcomputer case having an integral lighter of claim 1, wherein saidheating element is constructed of a nichrome wire.
 11. A handheldcomputer case having an integral lighter, comprising: a case bodydefining a housing sized to fit a handheld computer, wherein said casebody includes an internal battery electrically connected to anelectrical switch; a lighter housing integral with the case body,wherein said lighter housing defines an insulated enclosure thatprotrudes from the case body and has a movable door and said lighterhousing includes an electrically operated heating element and aninsulating floor positioned therein, with the heating element positionon top of the insulating floor in the lighter housing such that theinsulating floor is situated between the heating element and a portionof the case body in which the handheld computer fits; said heatingelement being electrically connected to said electrical switch and saidmovable door selectively movable between a base position in which theheating element is covered and a lighting position in which the heatingelement is exposed; and a lighter actuator integral with the case bodyand operatively connected the electrical switch, wherein said lighteractuator is configured to selectively cause the electrical switch todirect electricity from the internal battery through the heating elementand interrupt the flow of electricity through the heating element. 12.The handheld computer case having an integral lighter of claim 11,wherein said lighter housing includes at least one exhaust apertureconfigured to allow heated air to exit the lighter housing even whilethe movable door is in the base position.
 13. The handheld computer casehaving an integral lighter of claim 12, wherein said case body includesat least one insulator strip positioned thereon, situated under said atleast one exhaust aperture and adapted to prevent heated air exitingsaid lighter housing from said at least one exhaust aperture fromoverheating the handheld computer in the case body.
 14. The handheldcomputer case having an integral lighter of claim 11, wherein saidmovable door defines at least one panel operative to hinge between thebase position and the lighting position.
 15. The handheld computer casehaving an integral lighter of claim 11, wherein the lighter actuator isconfigured to cause the movable door to move to the lighting positionwhenever causing the electrical switch to direct electricity from theinternal battery through the heating element.
 16. The handheld computercase having an integral lighter of claim 15, wherein the lighteractuator is spring biased to maintain the movable door in the baseposition and interrupt the flow of electricity through the heatingelement in the absence of manual actuation.
 17. The handheld computercase having an integral lighter of claim 11, wherein the insulatedenclosure which defines the lighter housing is constructed of a materialhaving a low thermal conductivity.
 18. The handheld computer case havingan integral lighter of claim 11, wherein said case body includes atleast one of an electrical port that is electrically connected to theinternal battery, thereby enabling electricity from an external sourceto be supplied to the internal battery, and a solar panel that iselectrically connected to the internal battery, thereby enablingelectricity generated from light to be supplied to the internal battery.19. The handheld computer case having an integral lighter of claim 11,wherein said case body includes an indicator light that is electricallyconnected to the internal battery and adapted to provide a visualnotification related to the internal battery.
 20. The handheld computercase having an integral lighter of claim 11, wherein said heatingelement is constructed of a nichrome wire.